ACLU files lawsuit over Wolf Point voting district

August 7, 2013

HELENA (AP) — A civil-rights group is arguing that the Wolf Point School District is arranged to favor white voters in a predominantly Native American area.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Montana filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday arguing the districts are apportioned to give a predominantly white district greater say on the school board than American Indian residents.

The ACLU argues it is an unconstitutional violation of the Voting Rights Act. The group is asking a federal judge to force the school board of trustees to draw new districts.

ACLU legal director Jon Ellingson says the districts have not been redrawn to accurately account for their population.

The Wolf Point School District website says 80 percent of its students are Native American.